Move Your Galley Drain Valve for Better Gray Water Control

August 15, 2015January 3, 2016 $tingy Sailor

You’re sailing along on a reach at 4 knots with a steady wind on your beam. The sails are trimmed perfectly, there’s no weather helm, and the boat is in perfect balance. The sky is clear and the sun is shining but it’s not uncomfortably hot. Your first mate is below deck reading lazily in one of the berths. You lean back over the coaming a bit as you watch the clinometer inch past 15 degrees and you build more speed. It’s one of those dream days when everything comes together perfectly on the water and it feels like you could sail to China effortlessly. Your eyes scan up the telltales, all perfectly streaming aft. It doesn’t get any better than this. This is why you came. This is why you sail. Continue reading “Move Your Galley Drain Valve for Better Gray Water Control”

Rigging9 Comments

DIY Soft Shackles for Quick and Easy Headsail Changes

June 27, 2015January 15, 2016 $tingy Sailor

Do you still tie your headsail sheets on with bowline knots or cow hitches? Do you have separate single-length sheets for each headsail? Do you procrastinate when you should make a headsail change because it’s a hassle to tie or reeve the new sheets?
Continue reading “DIY Soft Shackles for Quick and Easy Headsail Changes”

Cabin, Sewing4 Comments

Sew Your Own Cabin Curtains and Save

June 13, 2015October 25, 2023 $tingy Sailor

Are your salon and head privacy curtains old, faded, or tattered? Want to spruce up your cabin interior? Sewing your own curtains can add a designer touch without breaking the bank. If you’re replacing your cabin cushions entirely or just the covers, new curtains are a must-do companion project.

Hull11 Comments

How to Reproduce Classic Brand Emblems

June 6, 2015October 25, 2023 $tingy Sailor

If you’ve been following this blog for a while, you’ve seen how I’ve taken on almost every possible restoration and improvement project. There’s more that I want to do to Summer Dance, but now that all her major systems have been overhauled, my attention has turned toward more aesthetic projects. One that was quite obvious when you saw Summer Dance up close was the Catalina 22 emblems on the cockpit coamings.

Outboard motor, Videos28 Comments

Upgrade to a Gas Spring-Operated Outboard Motor Mount

May 16, 2015November 13, 2023 $tingy Sailor

Do you have a heavy four-stroke outboard motor on your sailboat? Is it a chore to raise and lower with your current motor mount? Maybe you have a back injury that makes lifting a risky behavior. What about your first mate, can they raise and lower the motor if they need to? All these are good reasons to consider whether your current motor mount is adequate for your needs.

Keel33 Comments

The Error in a Popular DIY DVD that Will Slow Down your C-22

April 11, 2015November 2, 2023 $tingy Sailor

You want to refinish your C-22 swing keel the right way, so you’re planning to buy the Swing Keel Refinishing DVD from a certain Catalina parts dealership. It’s been around for over 15 years and is the de facto authority on how to do the job. I’m sorry to break it to you, but if you use the template that’s included with the DVD to fair your keel, it will prevent you from getting the best performance out of your keel.

Sails, SewingLeave a comment

Improve Sail Shape and Performance with a Leech Line

November 27, 2014November 2, 2023 $tingy Sailor

Before I dive in to the main topic of this post, I want to wish all you stingy sailors out there a Happy Thanksgiving Day. Even if you don’t live in the US or don’t normally celebrate this holiday, I hope you can take some time today to express your gratitude for the blessings in your life with those around you that you love. Whether it’s good health, a loving family, a job that pays the bills, or just fond memories, we can all find something to be thankful for.

Let’s face it, if you’re reading this blog and you either already own a sailboat or are just thinking about getting one, you’re more prosperous than most of the people on our planet. I urge you to look for ways to share your prosperity with those who are less fortunate. On to the project!

Hull1 Comment

Storm Damage to Summer Dance Repaired

September 12, 2014March 20, 2016 $tingy Sailor

After Summer Dance was badly damaged in a freak storm, the first mate and I doubted whether we would get her back in the water before the end of the sailing season. I didn’t know how I was going to fix her, whether I could do the work, or whether our insurance claim would pay enough to have the work done professionally. The DIYer in me wanted to save money and learn how to lay up fiberglass. But looking at the complexity of the damage and how long it would take a novice like me to fix it only reinforced the reality that if we wanted to sail again this year, the damage would have to be repaired by professionals.
Continue reading “Storm Damage to Summer Dance Repaired”

Electrical, Mast9 Comments

How to Add an Anchor Light For Less

August 31, 2014October 25, 2023 $tingy Sailor

Early on in our sailing career, the first mate and I discovered that we really enjoy anchoring out overnight. The bays in the North Idaho lakes where we cruise are surrounded by snow-capped mountains, covered by crystal clear starry skies, and afford plenty of privacy. The problem was, Summer Dance didn’t have an anchor light, which is a shame because according to the original invoice that I have, it would have only cost $36 in 1981 when she was built. Not even $tingy Sailor can add one that cheaply today.

The $tingy Sailor

DIY trailerable sailboat restoration and improvement without throwing your budget overboard

Tag: Catalina Yachts 22